Andy Murray triumphed in a dramatic five-set clash against No. 13 Matteo Berrettini on Tuesday in the opening round of the 2023 Australian Open. The three-time Grand Slam champion fought through a grueling match that required him to save a match point in the final set, eventually securing a 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-7(7-9) 7-6(10-6) victory on Rod Laver Arena.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Murray reflected on his monumental win, especially after years of struggling with severe injuries that had threatened his career. The match, which lasted four hours and 49 minutes, marked Murray’s first victory over a top-20 opponent at a Grand Slam since 2017.
“I’m going to feel this win in the coming days, but right now, I’m just incredibly happy and proud of what I achieved,” Murray said during his on-court interview. Murray praised the extensive preparation he and his team had undertaken over recent months to compete at such a high level. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point, and it really paid off tonight,” he added.
The match between Murray and Berrettini was the standout fixture of the opening round, and it lived up to its billing. Murray initially took control, winning the first two sets with his effective sliced shots disrupting Berrettini’s rhythm.
However, Berrettini, known for his resilience, fought back to level the match at two sets all. The decisive fifth set was fiercely contested, with both players holding serve and looking to capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes. Murray had to fend off a match point while serving to stay in the game.
In the final tiebreak, played to 10 points, Murray regained his form, taking a substantial lead and clinching the match in a memorable fashion. This victory marked Murray’s 50th win at the Australian Open, making it one of his most remarkable triumphs, even though he has reached the final of the tournament five times.
“This was my first experience with a 10-point tiebreaker. It felt different—being up 6-1 or 7-1 still felt like a long way from winning,” Murray said. “He fought back strongly, and I was fortunate with the net cord on match point.”
Murray complimented Berrettini’s exceptional performance and competitive spirit, acknowledging the high quality of the match. “The tennis was top-notch, and Matteo is a fantastic competitor who battles until the very end,” Murray noted.
Murray will next face either Thanasi Kokkinakis or Fabio Fognini in the second round on Thursday.